The matter of Lingyun Prefecture's expedition was decided in the imperial court the next day, but it was not required that he set off immediately. With the Dragon Boat Festival approaching, it would naturally be decided after the festival.
On the Dragon Boat Festival, the aroma of zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) filled every household, but surprisingly, fewer people went to restaurants. Tao Wanniang, seeing that there were half the usual number of customers, wasn't worried at all.
"Mother, there are few people today." Ling Dahu had no guests to attend to for a while, and when he saw Tao Wan's mother come out of the kitchen, he went up to her worriedly and said.
“Today is the Dragon Boat Festival. It’s customary for married daughters to bring their husbands back to their parents’ home. It’s normal for other families to be enjoying themselves at home and not come to the restaurant,” Tao Wanniang said. “However, it doesn’t matter. The name of our Zhaixinglou will resound even more today.”
With the Crown Prince of Rui personally taking charge, there really wasn't anything they couldn't negotiate.
The dragon boats will display rice dumplings from Zhaixinglou and the name of Zhaixinglou. Dragon boat races in the capital are watched by everyone, from high-ranking officials to ordinary people.
Moreover, Xiao Yi said that no matter which group wins the dragon boat race, they will come to Zhaixing Tower. Isn't that a living advertisement?
"Mother, um... Father is going to war, what did Zhi'er say?" Seeing that there was no one else around, Ling Dapeng asked Tao Wan's mother about this matter again.
Tao Wanniang glanced at her son. What did Ling Yunzhou say to Ling Dahu again?
“Isn’t it nice to be at the General’s Mansion? I’ll go and take a look when I have time,” Tao Wanniang said calmly. “You and Hongyu are off tomorrow, so go to the estate to visit your brother and the others, and also bring some of our Zhaixinglou’s zongzi and snacks over.”
"Mother, are you worried about your younger brother? Why did you call them back?" Ling Dahu asked immediately upon hearing this.
“No, I just think we might not be able to sell all the zongzi today. You can take them to your younger brother,” Tao Wan’s mother replied directly. “And while you’re at it, tell him that if your father goes to war, should the child be sent to the estate? After all, his parents are still here.”
“I think he would definitely say no,” Tao Wanniang smiled. “He’s busy farming and can’t take care of the children.”
As Ling Dahu watched Tao Wanniang walk away, he felt a pang of emotion. His mother still cared about his younger brother's family, didn't she?
"Let's go to the Star-Picking Tower for dinner." After the dragon boat race, regardless of who won or lost, everyone had already agreed to go to the Star-Picking Tower. Even some of the people who had been chasing the dragon boats went up to the Star-Picking Tower to take a look.
Before long, the Zhaixinglou restaurant was half full. There weren't enough waiters, so Luneng and Chen Liansheng started to take over.
When Ling Dahu checked the kitchen that evening, he did find some extra zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and pastries left over. Everyone working at the restaurant had received their special Dragon Boat Festival pastries and zongzi the day before, so these... were they specially saved for his younger brother's family?
“I’ve already told Hongyu that you can take these over tomorrow,” Tao Wanniang said to Ling Dahu. “Remember not to forget to mention Zhi’er’s whereabouts.”
"Okay, Mother, we will never forget." Ling Dahu immediately replied. He wanted to persuade his younger brother that their mother cared about their family.
The following day, Ling Dahu and Wang Hongyu, along with their two children, drove a carriage to the estate.
"Rui'er, Xiaofeng, it's been a long time since you've seen your uncle and aunt. When you see them later, be sure to greet them properly," Wang Hongyu said to the two children. Since the two of them were resting, Gao Cuiniang didn't need to take care of the children.
"Okay, Mother." Ling Rui and Ling Xiaofeng looked much fairer, and with the good food they were eating, they had both grown noticeably taller.
"Your aunt is pregnant, so when you see her, just greet her, but don't let her hold you," Wang Hongyu instructed. Zhou Xiaoyun had only visited the house before Ling Dapeng was going to take a concubine, and the two children hadn't seen each other since.
"Mother, where's my brother?" Ling Rui asked. "We haven't seen him in so long."
"My little brother is at Grandpa's house." Wang Hongyu wasn't envious at all. There's no place like home; as long as his parents are there, the child is happy!
"Also, your uncle has a concubine, and you'll meet her then. I'm not sure how you should address her, so just call her Auntie."
Along the way, Zhou Xiaoyun also talked to the two children about etiquette intermittently, but she really didn't like Shishi.
Accompanying Ling Dahu was Qian Feng from the General's Mansion. Without him leading the way, Ling Dahu and Wang Hongyu wouldn't have known where the manor was!
"You understand what the General means, right?" Qian Feng was also speaking to Ling Dahu. "The hardest thing in this world is for a broken mirror to be mended, but Brother Dahu, what reason is there for the General and Sister Tao not to be together? They are your own parents!"
Ling Dahu chuckled sheepishly. He didn't have the guts to deal with his mother's affairs.
“I think this is fine,” Ling Dahu said.
“Our General is going to fight in the East China Sea. During this time, if any men get close to your mother, you must be careful. People in the capital are all shrewd. Your mother’s current status, wealth, and still attractiveness make her the most attractive to lecherous men.”
“My mother works in the kitchen, no man would dare to make a move on her,” Ling Dahu said firmly. He added to himself that his mother’s fiery temper was not something an ordinary person could withstand.
"What if, what if?" Qian Feng really wanted to slap Ling Dahu's blockhead. How could he be so unambitious? If Sister Tao got together with his general, Ling Dahu would really become the eldest son of the general's mansion, the kind of person who could be taken out to meet people!
"No, I have faith in my mother. Besides, I've eaten more food than my mother has eaten salt. She's a good judge of character!" Ling Dahu said, completely unconcerned about what Qian Feng said.
This is driving me crazy! Qian Feng sighed helplessly, but still couldn't help saying a lot more.
The journey, which should have taken two hours, took two and a half hours. When they arrived at the village, Qian Feng got off the carriage and inquired. Immediately, someone from the village came out.
"This humble servant, Li Fu, greets Lord Qian."
"No need for formalities. Are Ling Dapeng and Zhou Shi here? They are the eldest son of our general and his family. They've come to see them."
“Here she is. Zhou Shi hurt her back and has been through a lot. She’s in that room. I’ll take you in. Shuanzi, go and call Ling Dapeng back. Tell him his brother and sister-in-law are here,” Li Fu said to a young boy in the village.
"That Zhou woman is always cursing and swearing, it's unbearable. If she weren't heavily pregnant, I don't think Ling Dapeng would have been able to put up with it." Li Fu sighed on the way. "That young lady is petite and doesn't look like she'd endure hardship, but she doesn't complain about working on the estate. Although being a concubine is not honorable, everyone thinks she's also wrong!"
Wang Hongyu was stunned. How could this be? Zhou Xiaoyun was having a terrible time at the manor! Zhou Xiaoyun was already disgusted by Ling Dapeng taking a concubine. If Shishi was so popular at the manor, Zhou Xiaoyun would be disgusted to death!
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